Packaging and supporting device



March 6, 1962 N. J. sUTTER PACKAGING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Sept. 26. 1958 uml 3,023,891 PACKAGING AND SUPPORTING DEVICE Norman J. Sutter, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to The Dalton Manufacturing Company, Clayton, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Sept. 26, 1958, Ser. No. 763,549 3 Claims. (Cl. 206-65) The present invention relates generally to utility devices, and more particularly to a novel combination packaging and supporting device for jars for storing small parts, bolts, nuts, and the like, in a workshop or other suitable place, and for supporting a plurality of hand tools.

In brief, the present novel packaging and supporting device comprises a preformed hanger rack for holding a plurality of jars having screw caps. The rack is formed to contain the jars for shipment, storage, and sale, and usually is sold with the jars as a unit in a suitable carton. The configuration of the rack is such that the jars are maintained against accidental removal, as by dropping from the rack when removed from the shipping carton. In use, the rack is mounted upon a vertical surface, as a wall or a flat post, and the jars are removed from shipping positions and disposed at right angles thereto in positions for ready access. rIhe rack also has means for supporting a number of hand tools to the rear of the jars.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel packaging and supporting device to hold a number of glass jars, or the like, which packages the jars against accidental breakage when the device is being handled prior to being placed in use.

Another object is to provide a novel packaging and supporting device for jars for storing of small parts, bolts, nuts, and the like, comprising a hanger rack formed to lock the jars in one position for shipment and handling and to support them in another position for ready access and removal when the hanger is mounted for use on the device.

Another object is to provide a novel packaging and supporting device incorporating a hanger rack for utility jars which is constructed to occupy minimum space in shipping and storage.

Another object is to provide a novel packaging and supporting device for utility jars which comprises a hanger rack for supporting the jars and for supporting a plurality of hand tools conveniently adjacent the jars.

Another object is to provide a novel packaging and supporting device comprising a hanger rack to support jars which is inexpensive, which is readily adaptable for Workshop and other use, which has minimum space requirements for shipment and storage and in use, and which otherwise full-ills the objects and advantages sought therefor.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages are apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a packaging and supporting device incorporating the teachings of the present invention disposed within a carton, the top of the carton being open to illustrate the relative position of the jars and the hanger rack;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on substanially the line 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged plan view of the hanger rack and packaged jars removed from the carton;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary crosssectional view illustrating the locking effect of a portion of the hanger rack on a jar;

i Y States Patent() ICC Patented Mar. 6, 1962 FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view of the packaging and supporting device mounted on a vertical supporting surface, the jars being in use positions relative to the hanger rack, small tools being illustrated in broken lines;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken on substantially the line 7 7 of FIGURE 6; and

FIGURE 8 is a rear elevational view of the hanger rack illustrating the mounting slots.

Referring to the drawing more particularly by reference numerals, 12 indicates generally a packaging and supporting hanger rack formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, which is formed to selectively hold a plurality of jars 14.

The configuration of the hanger rack 12 is clearly shown in the drawing, and, viewing it as mounted on a wall, as in FIGURE 6, includes a vertical panel 16, an integral horizontal panel 18, and a supporting strap 20 welded to integral extensions 22 of the horizontal panel 18.

The horizontal panel 18 includes spaced openings 24, each of which is defined by an annular ange 26, which .is clearly shown in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5. The horizontal panel 18 also includes a row of alternately arranged annular apertures 28 and elongated apertures 30 which are to the rear of the openings 24.

The vertical panel 16 has spaced bayonet slots 32 which receive screws 34 for mounting upon a wall 36, as is clear from FIGURES 7 and 8.

The supporting strap 20 includes spaced arcuate segments 38 which are substantially of the same radius as the jars 14.

yEach of the jars 14 includes a screw cap 40. Preferably, the jars 14 are cylindrical, both for packaging and for ultimate use.

For shipping and storing, the jars 14 are disposed in the hanger rack 12 with the base of the jars 14 against the panel 16 and with the screw caps 40 engaged at the top by the flanges 26, as is clearly shown in FIGURES l and 5. The strap 20, through the medium of the segments 38, snugly enga-ges the sides of the jars 14 to maintain them in locked position as aforesaid. With the jars 14 thus snugly packaged within the hanger rack 12, it is disposed in a carton 42 as shown in FIG- URE l.

When the device 12 is to be used, it is removed from the carton 42. In this process, the jars 14 cannot accidentally fall to the floor, which, in a workshop area, is usually concrete, since they are locked in place by the strap 20 and the anges 26. However, it is a simple matter to expand the strap 20 and to thereafterwards remove the jars 14 to a table or other place, while the hanger rack 12 is being placed upon a wall 36, or the like, by suitable screws 34. The jars 14 are disposed in the openings 24, as is illustrated in FIGURE 6. Similarly, screw drivers 44 and 46, a tile 48, and other hand tools, are disposed in the openings 28 and 30.

It is manifest that there has been provided a packaging and supporting device which fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefor.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing have been given by way of illustration and example. It is also to be understood that changes in form of the elements, rearrangement of parts, and substitution of equivalent elements, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. In combination, a rack for selectively packaging for shipment and supporting for use capped jars, a plurality of jars having caps, said rack including a vertical panel, a horizontal panel, and a strap member secured to said horizontal panel and spaced a predetermined distance therefrom receiving .said jars therebetween, said vertical and horizontal panels being joined along adjacent edges, said horizontal panel having spaced openings each including a downwardly deected lip portion, the cap of a jar engaging each lip portion, the bottom of the jars engaging said vertical panel, and the sides of the jars being between and adjacent Ito said horizontal panel and strap.

2. A rack for packaging and holding jars and similarly shaped items, comprising a vertical panel, a horizontal panel joined to the vertical panel; a strap, means securing the strap in spaced relation to the horizontal panel, the strap being resiliently yieldahle away from the horizontal panel, so thatv a jar may be inserted horizontally between the strap and the panel and held in place by engagement of the strap and horizontal panel against its References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 929,461 Munn July 27, 1909 1,226,231 Mack May 15, 1917 1,404,958 Hobbs Jan. 3l, 1922 2,305,965 Henkel Dec. 22, 1942 2,452,410 Wiegel Oct. 26, 1948 2,546,587 Eisenberg Mar. 27, 1951 

